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GNA Cameroon: Refugee views

Global Needs Assessment, 9 October 2008

I was forced to leave my country, the Central African Republic, because of the war. I was kidnapped, beaten, all my cows were taken and my brothers were killed. I experienced a lot of harassment. The rebels set themselves up in my village. While they were there, they systematically took away the community's goods. They kidnapped my child, Issa. He was with them for six days. I had to sell my cows to set him free. I sold six cows worth 300,000 Central African Francs (CFA) (about US$ 644). I had to sell them at a pitiful price to get the money I needed to liberate my child. I was beaten and tortured and obliged to sell my goods.

I left Bossambele and went to live in Yaloke. I sold all of my cattle and bought myself a house, hoping to find peace. Unfortunately the soldiers came into my property during the day. They ransacked it and took what they wanted. If you have big girls, they rape them. When you want to talk, they imprison you. I couldn't take this situation anymore so I left. I left Bossambele because of the bandits thinking I'd find peace in Yaloke, but there, it was the soldiers' turn.... In Bossambele, the bandits stopped me, tied me up and hit me in front of my wife and children. I was reduced to tears which isn't part of our custom. This is what made me leave the village. I cannot go back to that country. I was stopped, gagged and beaten in front of my wife and children and you ask me to go back to this country? I cannot.

Ardo Ousmane Biri, CAR refugee in Gbiti, Cameroon

* * *

I am called Mairo Ali and I am 10-12 years old. My father has enrolled me for this year at the school in Gbiti. I am very happy to be able to go for the first time in my life. It will allow me to work and earn a living. I would like to become a trader/shop keeper. I remember having to leave my country because of the "coupeurs de route" (bandits). I saw them kidnap my big brother and my little sister. They spent four months with them. My father had to give the bandits money so that they would let them go and afterwards we came to Cameroon.

Mairo Ali, CAR refugee in Gbiti, Cameroon

* * *

I've been in Cameroon for a year. I suffered a lot in my country. The "coupeurs de route" came in our houses, hit us and took our things. Two of my children were kidnapped. I had three herds of 250 cattle that I had to sell to set my children free. The first time I gave 5,700,000 CFA (about US$ 12,200) and the second time 3,050,000 CFA (USD 6,545). I hadn't come across the "coupeurs de route" before, but I had heard about them. One day, on the way back from the migration, I was blocked in a water hole. The "coupeurs" saw how many cattle I had and I think that's why they asked me for so much money when they came to take away my children.

The "coupeurs" came to my house in the village. I was with all of my family. They took two of my children and went away. They arrived one morning and told me that they were taking my children. To set them free, I would have to give them a lot of money otherwise they would kill my children. I was sure that if I didn't give them money my children would die. Their methods are known in the village.... I made my mind up to sell my cows and went to the market in Bossemtele, I sold my cows and then went to find them to give them the money myself. I got 5,700,000 CFA (USD 12,200) for my cows. They gave me back my two children.

I took my family in the hope of fleeing, and came across another rebel group en route. This second group found that I didn't have many cows and demanded 3,050,000 CFA (USD 6,545) after kidnapping two of my children – the girl that was kidnapped the first time and another child. As I didn't have much money I had to spend four months struggling to get this sum together. Once I gave them the money, they gave me my children. I saw with my own eyes how they killed many people and I knew and that if I stayed, they would end up killing me. Before leaving my country for good, I met a third group of bandits who wanted to steal the cows I had left. I surprised them and they came fiercely at me. They beat me for a long time and I came out with a fractured knee and a cut ear. I had to spend four months in hospital. When my family left CAR, I was still in the hospital and it was only later that I joined them in Gbiti in Cameroon. I was witness to a lot of barbarity in my country. My children were kidnapped twice, I was myself tortured. I cannot go home to this country. The only thing I know how to do is to be a cattle herder. Now I don't have anything, I cannot go back to this country.

Ali Boulka, CAR refugee in Gbiti, Cameroon

* * *

Before when all was going well, I had 150 cattle, but now I only have 15 left. I was a teacher at a Koranic school. The "coupeurs de route" came right up to my quarters and took my son for about a month until I could put together 1.5 million CFA (USD 3,200). I had to sell many cows. Some weeks after I got my son back, they kidnapped the son of my brother and this time I had to pay 1 million CFA (USD 2,145). The bandits beat me many times and I have scars on my arms and legs. They also took my money twice. I couldn't stay in this country any longer so I left hoping to find peace in Cameroon.

Ousmanou Oumarou, CAR refugee in Kentzou, Cameroon

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Silent Success

Despite being chased from their homes in the Central African Republic and losing their livelihoods, Mbororo refugees have survived by embracing a new way of life in neighbouring Cameroon.

The Mbororo, a tribe of nomadic cattle herders from Central African Republic, started fleeing their villages in waves in 2005, citing insecurity as well as relentless targeting by rebel groups and bandits who steal their cattle and kidnap women and children for ransom.

They arrived in the East and Adamaoua provinces of Cameroon with nothing. Though impoverished, the host community welcomed the new arrivals and shared their scant resources. Despite this generosity, many refugees died of starvation or untreated illness.

Help arrived in 2007, when UNHCR and partner agencies began registering refugees, distributing food, digging and rehabilitating wells as well as building and supplying medical clinics and schools, which benefit refugees and the local community and promote harmony between them. The Mbororo were eager to learn a new trade and set up farming cooperatives. Though success didn't come immediately, many now make a living from their crops.

Mbororo refugees continue to arrive in Central African Republic - an average of 50 per month. The long-term goal is to increase refugees' self-reliance and reduce their dependency on humanitarian aid.

Silent Success

Crisis in the Central African Republic

Little has been reported about the humanitarian crisis in the northern part of the Central African Republic (CAR), where at least 295,000 people have been forced out of their homes since mid-2005. An estimated 197,000 are internally displaced, while 98,000 have fled to Chad, Cameroon or Sudan. They are the victims of fighting between rebel groups and government forces.

Many of the internally displaced live in the bush close to their villages. They build shelters from hay, grow vegetables and even start bush schools for their children. But access to clean water and health care remains a huge problem. Many children suffer from diarrhoea and malaria but their parents are too scared to take them to hospitals or clinics for treatment.

Cattle herders in northern CAR are menaced by the zaraguina, bandits who kidnap children for ransom. The villagers must sell off their livestock to pay.

Posted on 21 February 2008

Crisis in the Central African Republic

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In Cameroon, more than 60,000 refugees have fled Central African Republic after systematic attacks by armed gangs. Despite the atrocities, this crisis has gone largely unnoticed by the international community - perhaps because it is overshadowed by the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region. UNHCR is trying to address the enormous needs.
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Systematic attacks on settlements in Central African Republic have forced more than 60,000 people from the Mbororo tribe to flee to neighbouring Cameroon. UNHCR is trying to help these nomadic herdsmen restart their lives.